Falkirk Wheel, Boat lift in Falkirk, Scotland.
The Falkirk Wheel has two opposing arms extending from a central axle, with water-filled caissons connecting the Forth and Clyde Canal with the Union Canal.
Queen Elizabeth II inaugurated the Falkirk Wheel on May 24, 2002, marking the completion of a project that replaced eleven locks from the 1930s.
The design incorporates elements of Scottish industrial heritage, with arms shaped like Celtic axes and engineering methods based on Archimedes' principles.
The wheel lifts boats 24 meters between the canals in five minutes, using only 1.5 kilowatt-hours of electricity per rotation.
The steel structure maintains perfect balance through two opposing gondolas, as the descending water weight counterbalances the ascending section without additional power.
Location: Falkirk
Official opening: May 24, 2002
Made from material: steel
Part of: Millennium Link
Website: http://thefalkirkwheel.co.uk
GPS coordinates: 56.00028,-3.84167
Latest update: May 26, 2025 19:09
Navigation locks are engineering structures that enable ships to pass through significant elevation changes between seas, lakes, and rivers. From the Panama Canal, where vessels rise 86 feet (26 meters) to cross the Isthmus, to the Three Gorges Dam in China, featuring five-stage locks managing a 371-foot (113-meter) height difference on the Yangtze River, these technical facilities have transformed global trade routes. The Soo Locks in the United States connect the Great Lakes, while the Kiel Canal in Germany links the North Sea to the Baltic Sea. Some structures, such as the Itaipu Dam between Brazil and Paraguay, combine navigation and hydroelectric power generation with a capacity of 14,000 megawatts. Others stand out with their innovative technical solutions: the boat lift in Peterborough, Canada, has used a hydraulic system since 1904, while the Falkirk Wheel in Scotland employs a rotating mechanism to lift 24 meters (79 feet). These facilities play a crucial role in international commerce and economic growth of the regions they serve.
This list features notable historical and natural sites located throughout Scotland's landscape. It includes ancient castles, impressive lochs, historic urban views, and highlands. This collection effectively illustrates Scotland's cultural heritage and the variety of its natural surroundings.
Ochilview Park
3.5 km
Rough Castle Fort
936 m
Falkirk Old Parish Church
3.5 km
Falkirk Steeple
3.6 km
The Milk Barn
3.9 km
Falkirk Library
3.3 km
St Mary of the Angels, Camelon
1.3 km
Larbert Old Church, Churchyard With James Bruce Monument
2.1 km
Larbert Viaduct
1.9 km
ABC Falkirk
3.6 km
Stenhousemuir, Kirk Avenue, Larbert East Church And Hall
3.4 km
Larbert Old Church
2.1 km
Falkirk, Cochrane Avenue, St Modan's Church
3.5 km
Lloyds Tsb Scotland, High Street, Falkirk
3.6 km
Larbert, Main Street, Dobbie Hall
2.9 km
Old Bridge, Larbert
1.9 km
Main Office Building, Carron Ironworks, Stenhouse Road, Larbert
3.8 km
Bainsford, Carron River, Carron Railway Bridge
3.6 km
Falkirk, Cow Wynd, The Tattie Kirk
3.7 km
Carron, River Carron, Weir
3.5 km
Grahamston Ironworks, Falkirk
3.5 km
Dunipace Bridge
2.3 km
Antonine Wall, 495m WSW and 125m SE of Bonnyside House
2 km
Larbert bridge
1.8 km
Larbert, Main Street, Larbert Station, War Memorial
2.6 km
Falkirk, 147-149 High Street
3.6 km
Stenhousemuir, Carrongrange Avenue, Carrongrange
3.1 km
Lodge, Royal Scottish National Hospital, Bellsdyke Road, Larbert
3.5 kmReviews
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